The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-01-22
Comments of the Press.
VERY LIKE A BACK-DOWN
Lafayette Call.

Lafayette Call.
From this distance and writing in advance Of
the second meeting of the joint convention to-
day, it looks very like back down. After sol
emily resolving, on Tuesday, that they would
recognize Mr.. Robertson and he alone, as Lieu
tenant governor, in all matters where that Of
fcer has any duties to perform, the House on
Wednesday go into an agreement virtually rec
cognizing the pretensions of Green Smith, and
taking him in as legal constituent part of
joint conventions to elect Senator The Call,
at this distance from the scene of action, hest
tates 10 characterize this performance as what it
appears on its face to be; but we are unable to
see in it anything but square back-down in
every essential particular. on the part OF the
Republicans.
1t would seem that this action was perhaps
in part at least, prompted by a supposed dead
lock, caused by the obstinate refusal of Mr..
Robinson, the Knight of Labor Democratic
member, to vote for Mr.. Turpe. and his an
nounced determination to vote right along for
the Knights of Labor candidate. IT so. this is
| the thinnest sort of game. and the Republican
| members are a lot Of suckers" to be ght So
Our prophecy Is that Robinson's 'obstinacy'
| will only last long enough to get the Republic
| ans thoroughly committed to the present pro-
| gramme and thoroughly involved in recognition
! of the legitimacy of Mr.. Green Smiths preten-
s;ons, and of the jurisdiction of the courts over
| matter expressly committed by the Constitution
to the Legislature: and then it will suddenly dis
| appear, and Mr.. Robinson will be found voting
| with the other seventyfve for some good solid
Democrat, thus electing him. 1t looks to US as
| though by entering into yesterdays agreement
the Republicans had given away their whole
case. and the zig is up"
. THE REPUBLICANS SHOCKED.
| New Castle Courier.
The Republicans of the State were shocked and
| people generally greatly surprised when it was
| announced Yesterday that the Republican mem
| bers of the Legislature had offered compromise
| to the Democrats, and that terms had been
| agreed upon whereby joint convention had
| been held to vote for United States Senator.
| From the beginning Of the contest until yester-
| day the position of the Republicans had been one
| of absolute legal imprsgnabilty. Their policy Of
| mastery inactivity was apparently so skill
| fully managed as to challenge the confidence oil
| the people, and for them golden opinions
| from the press all over the land. It remained
| for them simply to go on tracking the law care
fully, performing thcir duty faithfully and heed
less Of the wild threats and denunciations of tn,
Democratic mob But, it seems through bat
| advice or lack of moral courage on the part o.
| the leaders. they have entered into negotiation
| with the enemy and reached an agreement which
| amounts almost to a surrender. Whatever ma,
result now, the Republicans have discredltet
themselves and their party. We are astonlshet
and disguised.
AN INDEPENDENT DEMOCRATIC VIEW.
Chicago Times.
The chief Importance of the sudden agreemen
of the anarchical belligerents TO suspension Q
hostilites appears in its relation to the final de
cision Of this jurisdictional question. On tn
surface, that either contendant should have er
tered into such an agreement seems IN accounts
BILE. Under the surface it not diff cult to dis
Germ the motive of making record OF the cas-
for the purpose. of carrying up to the nations
Senate-a higher political tribunal-the polite,
I, question over which the indianapolis Judge Sc
r up the preteuse of jurisdiction During tn
t joint session, many motions We're made and over
ruled, exceptions taken. protests entered. etc
t s'all of which was done in pursuance OF the pro
k gramme, and for the purpose of laying the four
. dation for contest in the national Senate who
y ever may be the winner at IndianapoEsn
. other terms, the truce agreement
J. in the nature of writ Of suppressed e,
Q designed to take the case away from tn
Q Indianapolis court and transfer it to polite,